Luke 22 52

Luke 22:52 kjv

Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

Luke 22:52 nkjv

Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, "Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs?

Luke 22:52 niv

Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs?

Luke 22:52 esv

Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?

Luke 22:52 nlt

Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. "Am I some dangerous revolutionary," he asked, "that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me?

Luke 22 verses

Luke 22 52 Meaning

Jesus confronts the chief priests, officers of the temple guard, and elders who came to arrest him. He asks why they are coming with weapons and torches, implying their stealthy and forceful approach contrasts with his open ministry. He questions their motives, suggesting they could have arrested him peacefully in the temple without such a display of force.

Luke 22 52 Context

This verse occurs during the Passover feast in Jerusalem. Jesus and his disciples have just celebrated the Last Supper in the Upper Room and gone to the Mount of Olives. Jesus predicts Peter's denial. While they are still on the Mount of Olives, a large crowd, led by the chief priests, temple guards, and elders, arrives to arrest Jesus. The gospel of Luke, like the other synoptics, places this event immediately before Jesus' arrest by Judas's kiss. Luke emphasizes the calm authority Jesus exhibits even as he is being apprehended.

Luke 22 52 Word analysis

• καὶ (kai) - And, also, even. Connects this verse to the preceding narrative of the disciples arming themselves.
• εἶπεν (eipen) - He said. Aorist active indicative 3rd person singular of λέγω (lego), meaning to say or speak. Indicates Jesus spoke directly to the group.
• πρὸς (pros) - To, towards, in the presence of. Shows Jesus addressing the assembled crowd directly.
• αὐτὸν (auton) - Him. Refers to Jesus himself.
• οἱ (hoi) - The (plural masculine nominative definite article). Refers to the leaders.
• ἀρχιερεῖς (archiereis) - Chief priests. The high priestly families, heads of the priestly divisions, and others in high religious authority.
• καὶ (kai) - And.
• στρατηγοὶ (stratēgoi) - Captains or officers of the temple guard. Leaders responsible for security and order within the temple precincts.
• τοῦ ἱεpοῦ (tou hierou) - Of the temple.
• καὶ (kai) - And.
• πρεσβύτεροι (presbyteroi) - Elders. Leading men of the Jewish council, members of the Sanhedrin.
• ἐπῆλθαν (epēltan) - Came upon, approached. Aorist active indicative 3rd person plural of ἐπέρχομαι (eperchomai), meaning to come upon, attack, or approach. Highlights their sudden arrival.
• αὐτόν (auton) - Him.
• εἶπεν (eipen) - He said.
• πρὸς (pros) - To.
• αὐτούς (autous) - Them. Refers to the arresting party.
• atteggiamentoi ( atteggiamentoi) - As if (This word is not in the Greek text of Luke 22:52; it seems to be a misunderstanding or mistranslation).
• Ἆ (Ha) - Why? An interrogative particle. Jesus questions their actions.
• ὥς (hōs) - As.
• ἐπὶ (epi) - Against.
• ληστὴν (lēstēn) - Robber, bandit, insurgent. A criminal often associated with violence and robbery. Jesus contrasts his benign presence with this label.
• ἐξήλθατε (exēltate) - You came forth. Aorist active indicative 2nd person plural of ἐξέρχομαι (exerchomai), meaning to go out, come forth. Refers to their action of coming out to seize Him.
• μετὰ (meta) - With.
• μαχαιρῶν (machairōn) - Swords (genitive plural of μάχαιρα, machaira). Sharp, cutting weapons.
• καὶ (kai) - And.
• ξύλων (xylōn) - Clubs, sticks (genitive plural of ξύλον, xylon). Wooden weapons.
• εἰμὶ (eimi) - I am (or rather implied by context of being brought to).
• καθ’ (kath') - Daily. Refers to his regular presence.
• ἡμέραν (hēmeran) - Day.
• ἐν (en) - In.
• τῷ ἱερῷ (tō hierō) - The temple (dative singular of τὸ ἱερόν, to hieron). The place of worship.
• μ medya (medya) - Me (This word is not in the Greek text of Luke 22:52).
• σὺν (syn) - With.
• ὑμῖν (hymin) - You (plural).
• ἐστιν (estin) - He is.
• καὶ (kai) - And.
• οὐκ (ouk) - Not.
• ἐξετείνητε (exeteinete) - Stretch out, lay hands on. Aorist subjunctive active 2nd person plural of ἐκτείνω (ekteinō). The Greek text actually uses the aorist indicative of ἀνατέλλω (anatellō) in other versions for Jesus asking if they arrested him with swords and clubs; here it asks why they did not lay hands on Him daily in the temple. However, the primary sense here is "lay hands on."
• εἰς (eis) - Into.
• χ żeirein (xeirein) - To take hold of or seize (This word is not in the Greek text of Luke 22:52. The correct verb is ἐπιβάλλω (epiballō) in a different context of Mark, or potentially ἐπιλαμβάνω (epilambanō) in some translations).

Word-group analysis:

• "οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ στρατηγοὶ τοῦ ἱεροῦ καὶ πρεσβύτεροι ἐπῆλθαν αὐτὸν": This phrase emphasizes the high-level authority and the organized nature of the opposition against Jesus, comprising the religious, temple security, and governmental elders. Their combined presence highlights the serious intent to capture Him.
• "Ἆ ὡς ἐπὶ ληστὴν ἐξήλθατε μετὰ μαχαιρῶν καὶ ξύλων": This is a rhetorical question where Jesus uses hyperbole. By asking if they came as if for a brigand, He highlights the discrepancy between His teaching and the methods of His accusers. The weapons (swords and clubs) are contrasted with His message of peace and His usual presence in the temple, a public place.
• "καθ’ ἡμέραν ἦν μετ’ ὑμῶν ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ καὶ οὐκ ἐξετείνητε ἐπ’ ἐμὲ χ żeirein": Jesus points out that He ministered openly and daily in the temple, yet they did not seize Him then. This implies their current forceful, clandestine method indicates a fear of the people and a lack of a legitimate charge that could be pursued openly.

Luke 22 52 Bonus section

The phrase "as against a robber" ("ὡς ἐπὶ ληστὴν") highlights the stigma the authorities sought to place on Jesus. Robbers or bandits were often associated with sedition and violence against Roman rule, as well as common crime. By framing their arrest in this way, they were attempting to legitimize their action in the eyes of onlookers and justify the use of force, while also undermining Jesus' divine claims and peaceful ministry. The choice of night and weapons also shows the contrast to Jesus’ openness and teachings, such as in Luke 21:37 where it says "Jesus taught daily in the temple, but went out at night to the Mount of Olives." This verse reveals Jesus' foresight and his peaceful submission to the unfolding plan of salvation.

Luke 22 52 Commentary

Jesus' question, "Why have you come with swords and clubs?" is deeply ironic and pointed. He is confronting the religious leaders and their forces for treating Him as a dangerous criminal, a brigand ("ληστὴν"), when He had been openly teaching and healing them in the temple daily. This implies they acted under the cover of night with weapons, showing fear of the crowds and the legitimacy of His public ministry. Their methods starkly contrasted with His own open actions, revealing the hypocrisy and underlying malice behind the arrest. Jesus understood that His capture was foreordained, part of God's plan (as confirmed by His surrender to Peter's attempt to resist with a sword in John 18:11), but this question exposed the cowardly and deceitful nature of His pursuers. His gentle questioning maintained His authority and dignity in a moment of apparent vulnerability.